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Economy of Ghana vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $18.3B for Laos, ranking 69/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $14.8B (80.6% of GDP) in Laos.

Ghana vs Laos GDP by year

Ghana
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Laos
2025 $114,209,905,279 $18,302,970,219
2024 $83,288,585,604 $16,502,933,121
2023 $80,547,146,876 $15,843,155,731
2022 $73,919,003,212 $15,468,785,204
2021 $79,514,204,730 $18,827,148,531
2020 $70,008,243,860 $18,981,805,250
2019 $68,352,629,246 $18,740,561,513
2018 $67,259,353,966 $18,141,641,090
2017 $60,385,409,435 $17,071,155,481
2016 $56,144,179,398 $15,912,501,723
2015 $49,436,806,230 $14,426,380,126
2014 $54,678,533,806 $13,279,245,886
2013 $62,845,721,960 $11,983,252,627
2012 $41,271,701,061 $10,192,846,339
2011 $39,336,668,081 $8,750,104,617
2010 $32,197,655,567 $7,131,771,015
2009 $26,048,720,006 $5,836,137,330
2008 $28,679,383,241 $5,446,433,157
2007 $24,827,339,138 $4,223,152,739
2006 $20,885,037,597 $3,455,030,061
2005 $10,744,568,381 $2,735,558,735
2004 $8,881,417,907 $2,366,398,120
2003 $7,632,723,556 $2,023,324,407
2002 $6,166,197,848 $1,758,176,653
2001 $5,314,872,854 $1,768,619,058
2000 $4,982,850,662 $1,731,198,022
1999 $7,718,109,982 $1,454,430,642
1998 $7,482,069,162 $1,280,177,839
1997 $6,891,443,192 $1,747,011,857
1996 $6,932,991,739 $1,873,671,550
1995 $6,464,382,808 $1,763,536,305
1994 $5,446,383,727 $1,543,606,345
1993 $5,968,922,939 $1,327,748,690
1992 $6,416,103,926 $1,127,806,945
1991 $6,603,185,268 $1,028,087,972
1990 $5,889,106,573 $865,559,879
1989 $5,251,858,440 $714,046,821
1988 $5,197,765,032 $598,961,269
1987 $5,074,829,932 $1,087,273,104
1986 $5,735,677,434 $1,776,842,097
1985 $4,504,306,723 $2,366,666,616
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,757,142,856
1983 $4,057,275,132 -
1982 $4,035,994,398 -
1981 $4,222,441,860 -
1980 $4,445,228,216 -
1979 $4,020,227,920 -
1978 $3,662,478,185 -
1977 $3,189,428,571 -
1976 $2,765,254,237 -
1975 $2,810,106,383 -
1974 $2,894,409,938 -
1973 $3,006,766,758 -
1972 $2,112,293,280 -
1971 $2,417,108,578 -
1970 $2,215,028,588 -
1969 $1,962,050,556 -
1968 $1,666,909,518 -
1967 $1,747,187,645 -
1966 $2,126,300,672 -
1965 $2,053,462,968 -
1964 $1,731,296,200 -
1963 $1,540,797,589 -
1962 $1,382,515,654 -
1961 $1,302,674,325 -
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/laos | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Laos by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $2,325 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $935 $3,485
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $886 $3,271
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $697 $3,021
2006 $906 $3,103 $579 $2,777
2005 $479 $2,904 $466 $2,519
2004 $406 $2,729 $409 $2,315
2003 $358 $2,584 $355 $2,151
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $313 $2,020
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $320 $1,908
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $319 $1,794
1999 $403 $2,239 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $400 $2,167 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $378 $2,097 $339 $1,528
1996 $389 $2,026 $371 $1,435
1995 $372 $1,947 $358 $1,349
1994 $321 $1,875 $321 $1,265
1993 $360 $1,821 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $396 $1,739 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $418 $1,678 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $383 $1,581 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $350 - $170.4 -
1988 $355 - $147.1 -
1987 $355 - $274.7 -
1986 $411 - $462 -
1985 $330 - $633 -
1984 $330 - $483 -
1983 $311 - - -
1982 $319 - - -
1981 $344 - - -
1980 $372 - - -
1979 $347 - - -
1978 $326 - - -
1977 $292.3 - - -
1976 $261 - - -
1975 $273 - - -
1974 $289.4 - - -
1973 $310 - - -
1972 $223.8 - - -
1971 $263.4 - - -
1970 $248.2 - - -
1969 $225.8 - - -
1968 $196.7 - - -
1967 $211.2 - - -
1966 $263.3 - - -
1965 $260.5 - - -
1964 $225 - - -
1963 $205 - - -
1962 $188.4 - - -
1961 $181.9 - - -
1960 $174.9 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/laos | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $2,325 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Ghana Laos
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$18.3B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
4.54%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$2,325
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
155/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$14.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
80.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$1,874
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
120/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$2,426
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
28.5%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
17.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
7.7%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
1.21%
2022
Population
36032857
8027464

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 17.9% 80.6%
2024 22% 70.3% 15.8% 94.7%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 16.5% 108.9%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 14.7% 115.7%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 15.7% 92.2%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 18.4% 75.4%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 20.9% 62% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 17.6% 57% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 21% 50.1% 25% 53.5%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 20.2% 43%
2010 19% 32.9% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 14.7% 60%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 16% 90.1%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 12% 74.5% 19.9% -
1999 11.1% 51.7% - -
1998 11.8% 37.6% - -
1997 12% 45.2% - -
1996 12.4% 42.9% - -
1995 13% 47.6% - -
1994 12.7% 50.6% - -
1993 12.1% 34.1% - -
1992 9.2% 21.3% - -
1991 7.09% 17.3% - -
1990 6.59% 17.8% - -
1989 7.24% 23% - -
1988 7.23% 23.5% - -
1987 7.32% 26.8% - -
1986 7.29% 18.2% - -
1985 6.08% 14.4% - -
1984 4.64% 13% - -
1983 3.49% 9.21% - -
1982 4.73% 8.51% - -
1981 5.74% 8.77% - -
1980 7.51% 9.75% - -
1979 9.14% 11.5% - -
1978 6.54% 11.4% - -
1977 10.5% 20.7% - -
1976 12.8% 26% - -
1975 13.2% 21.8% - -
1974 9.52% 21.8% - -
1973 9.35% 25.4% - -
1972 11.4% 29.8% - -
1971 11.7% 29.5% - -
1970 12.2% 31.9% - -
1969 11.2% 31.4% - -
1968 12.3% 34.5% - -
1967 11.5% 33.9% - -
1966 9.12% 29.8% - -
1965 14.2% 30.2% - -
1964 15.8% 30.8% - -
1963 15.3% 30.5% - -
1962 12.5% 11.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/laos | CC BY

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Laos spent $3.28B, or 17.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 80.6% in Laos, ranking 108/185 and 41/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Laos
2025 -1.35% 1.64%
2024 -6.23% 2.36%
2023 -3.37% -0.01%
2022 -11.8% 0.06%
2021 -12% -0.67%
2020 -17.4% -5.37%
2019 -7.52% -3.2%
2018 -6.79% -4.46%
2017 -3.97% -5.51%
2016 -6.75% -5.06%
2015 -4.01% -5.57%
2014 -7.81% -3.13%
2013 -9.12% -4.03%
2012 -8.36% -2.34%
2011 -5.47% -1.43%
2010 -7.13% -1.47%
2009 -5.05% -3.1%
2008 -5.56% -1.86%
2007 -4.91% -1.12%
2006 -3.11% -1.48%
2005 -1.87% -2.54%
2004 -2.02% -1.81%
2003 -1.99% -3.89%
2002 -2.73% -2.85%
2001 -3.64% -3.68%
2000 -3.98% -3.58%
1999 -5.64% -
1998 -5.27% -
1997 -6.14% -
1996 -5.61% -
1995 -4.52% -
1994 -4.99% -
1993 -5.39% -
1992 -4.5% -
1991 -1.47% -
1990 -1.93% -
1989 -0.81% -
1988 -1.08% -
1987 -0.92% -
1986 -1.26% -
1985 -1.19% -
1984 -0.98% -
1983 -1.13% -
1982 -2.03% -
1981 -3.8% -
1980 -4.73% -
1979 -3.61% -
1978 -1.21% -
1977 -4.68% -
1976 -5.53% -
1975 -4.05% -
1974 -2.06% -
1973 -2.64% -
1972 -2.19% -
1971 0.13% -
1970 -2.35% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -2.32% -
1966 -1.29% -
1965 -3.29% -
1964 -3.72% -
1963 -5.66% -
1962 -5.04% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/laos | CC BY

In 2025, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.54B, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $300M, or 1.64% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.47% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Laos
2025 14.2% 7.7%
2024 22.8% 23.1%
2023 38.1% 31.2%
2022 31.3% 23%
2021 9.97% 3.8%
2020 9.89% 5.1%
2019 7.14% 3.3%
2018 7.81% 2%
2017 12.4% 0.8%
2016 17.5% 1.6%
2015 17.1% 1.3%
2014 15.5% 4.1%
2013 11.7% 6.4%
2012 11.2% 4.3%
2011 8.73% 7.6%
2010 10.7% 6%
2009 19.2% 0.1%
2008 16.5% 7.6%
2007 10.7% 4.7%
2006 11.7% 6.5%
2005 15.4% 7.2%
2004 18% 10.5%
2003 29.8% 15.5%
2002 9.36% 10.6%
2001 41.5% 7.8%
2000 40.2% 8.4%
1999 4.87% 128.4%
1998 14.6% 90.1%
1997 27.9% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/laos | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 15.5% in Laos. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 7.7% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Metals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $266K
Wood & paper products $211K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K

Balance of trade

Ghana Laos
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
33.2%
2016

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Ghana Laos
Economic freedom 57.3 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 157/197
Property rights 50.2 41.1
Government integrity 45.4 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 10.2
Tax burden 79.4 88.5
Government spending 84 92.7
Fiscal health 10.1 80
Business freedom 64.5 54.2
Labor freedom 54.9 40.7
Monetary freedom 56.7 53.3
Trade freedom 65.2 69
Investment freedom 60 35
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Laos
2026 57.3 50.9
2025 56 51.1
2024 55.8 50.6
2023 58 50.3
2022 59.8 49.2
2021 59.2 53.9
2020 59.4 55.5
2019 57.5 57.4
2018 56 53.6
2017 56.2 54
2016 63 49.8
2015 63 51.4
2014 64.2 51.2
2013 61.3 50.1
2012 60.7 50
2011 59.4 51.3
2010 60.2 51.1
2009 58.1 50.4
2008 57 50.3
2007 57.6 50.3
2006 55.6 47.5
2005 56.5 44.4
2004 59.1 42
2003 58.2 41
2002 57.2 36.8
2001 58 33.5
2000 58.1 36.8
1999 57.9 35.2
1998 57 35.2
1997 56.7 35.1
1996 57.7 38.5
1995 55.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/laos | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 50.9 for Laos, ranking 157/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Laos
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
43.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
29.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
16.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$16.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$9,800
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$2.21B
2024
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
15%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
29%
2016

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/laos | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.